Softball-sized cyst and 9 months pregnant

I have an ovarian cyst that measures 8.5 cm x 6.5 cm (fluid-filled). It was discovered at a 34 week ultrasound and has stayed consistent in size. I now have 8 days to go before my due date.

The consultant last week said that this needed to come out and my options were to have a c-section and take it out then, or wait 4 weeks and have another ultrasound to see if it's changed in size.  He said that if it was cancerous, that I would have wished that I would have chosen the c-section.

What has been your experiences with pregnancy cysts of this size and this late in pregnancy? Do they have a tendency to twist during labor as the uterus is contracting? Would you have recommended a c-section? I'm still choosing a vaginal delivery, but second guess myself everyday. My last baby was a week early and weighed 9 lbs 4 oz. This baby hasn't dropped yet and I keep wondering if the cyst is preventing it from happening.

[mugzy]

I too had an ovarian cyst while pregnant. However, mine was detected at 5 weeks and by 15 weeks it had grown to 12 cm.  My doctor said as the baby grew the cyst would grow and may cause premature labor, bursting, or twisting and breaking off as my uterus grew.  He highly suggested I have surgery to remove it.  At 17 weeks I had the procedure done to have the cyst removed, and all went according to plan and it wasn't cancerous.  The rest of my pregnancy went well, and then I ended up going through labor just have a c-section 33 hours later :-)  Personally, I would not want to risk the fact that it might be cancerous or that I might have to have surgery shortly after giving birth.  I would take a c-section any day over the surgery I had to remove the cyst.  They had to cut me open vertically and I had to stay 5 days in the hospital.  I'm not in the medical field, but I just thought you might want to have some advice from someone that has been through it.

[ddifelice]

Hi, I am 28 weeks pregnant, and had surgury last week to remove a right ovarian cyst 8 cm. I won't lie the surgery was very painful( Afterwards) but a wekk later I am now pain free, and not feeling anxious sbout it breaking. My baby is fine, kicking and moving about lots:) There was a small risk of early labour, but everything was smooth saling, now just recovery:) 6 Weeks sounds like the right amount of time for a full recovery.

[ladybug2001]

I'm 20 weeks pregnant and just found out I have a cyst on my right ovary as big or slightly bigger than the baby (the baby measured 20 cm).  We don't know how long it's been there.  My ObGyn Specialist told me it was my choice to remove it now or remove it after surgery.  He didn't stress or pressure me for surgery at this time other than to say if you choose surgery now; the sooner we do it the better.  I go to see my regular Ob in 2 days.  My original choice was to leave it and remove it immediately after surgery because of the sight risk of premature labor and this being our first child.  I need opinions, stories of people who have been throgh this.  Am I making the right choice.  My husband is worried for me and the baby no matter what i choose.  Please give me some feed back.

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[gmcfar]

Hi, I am 9 weeks pregnant and 2 weeks ago they found a 6.5 x 4.2 cm solid tumor/mass on my left ovary. The doctor said it does not appear suspicious for cancer, but cannot be 100% sure until its removed. I go for another ultrasound in 3 weeks, and IF it has grown then the decision will have to be made to remove it, or wait another 7 months. My CA125 test last week was at 18. I am soooo scared. I have had 2 other normal pregnancies with 2 beautiful boys. I had a CT scan in March because of stomach pains (I do have a bad gallbladder) and there was nothing on that CT scan. Someone, anyone with advice or who has been through something like this?